soccer

noun

soc·​cer ˈsä-kər 

: a game played on a field between two teams of 11 players each with the object to propel a round ball into the opponent's goal by kicking or by hitting it with any part of the body except the hands and arms

called also association football, football

Examples of soccer in a Sentence

Both of their children play soccer.

Recent Examples on the Web

An all-time great Ronaldo has more international goals (146), victories (141) and appearances (234) than any other men’s soccer player. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

The Mexico initiative initially was also expected to include a football bowl game in 2026 in Monterrey, as well as future exhibitions for Big 12 baseball and soccer teams. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

More recently, over the summer, FunDimension was World Cup watch party central, hosting bashes for various matches with soccer stars including Paul Pogba in attendance. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Project could involve $185M in city support Construction costs for the first portion of the project — the soccer arena and plaza — are estimated at $175 million to $225 million, the developers say. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

by shortening & alteration from association football

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing soccer

• soccer mom
• table soccer

Rhymes for soccer

• blocker
• chalker
• cocker
• docker
• hawker
• hocker
• knocker
• locker
• mocker
• ocher
• rocker
• shocker

Kids Definition

soccer

noun

soc·​cer ˈsäk-ər 

: a football game with 11 players on a side in which a round ball is advanced by kicking it or by hitting it with any part of the body except the hands and arms

Etymology

by shortening and alteration of association football

Word Origin

Soccer is the world's most popular sport. In most countries, however, its name is not soccer but football. In England, where the modern game started, it is usually called either football or association football. The latter name comes from the fact that the rules of the game were standardized when the Football Association was founded in England in 1863. The word soccer comes from the last three letters of the abbreviation assoc., which stands for "association." Although the word soccer was first used in England, the only countries where it is now the usual name for the sport are the U.S. and Canada.